Sign character



July 16, l 929. A. E. TARBOX SIGN CHARACTER Filed July 23, 1927 3! gm UEIEIIIJUU I f m gfimgggggglg U U BU Um El III QB E'IEIU El El El INVENTOR.

?atented July 16, 1929. A

ASA. n rmox, or OAKLAND, cnmronma.

. Application filed my 23, 1927. Serial No. 207,898.

The invention forming the subject matter of this'application relates to sign letters or Y the like characters.

Signs of the illuminated type in present use are generally of hollow construction, so as to permit the employment of a large number of electric light bulbs to be placed in the hollow of the letters so as to transmit the light rays through the translucent face 0 the sign. Reflectors are usually disposed behind the electric lights to reflect the artificial or natural rays to enhance the attractiveness and brightness of the sign.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sign letter constructed from a large number of mirrored glass fragments solidly secured in a frame and disposed randomly and angularly to each other,

where by the reflection of the natural or'- artificial light rays is accomplished without necessitating the present hollow construction and the use of the large number of electric bulbs and separate reflectors. therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sign letter whose construction is simple, massive and attractive, so as to obviate the employment of the complicated electricwiring and the connections thereof and substitute a sign therefor which is illuminated exteriorly by the natural or artificial light rays.

i which will hereinafter A further object of small bits of mirrored glass randomly disposed out of plane alignmentto create a continual state of reflection therefrom and produce a dazzling efl'ect.

With these and other objects in view, which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts,

be more fully described, illustrated and claimed. a

The essential features of the invention involved in the carrying out of the objects indicated are susceptible to modification; but a preferred embodiment of the invention is shp wlxli in the accompanying drawings, I in w 10 I Figure 1 is abfront view of" a'letter of a of the invention is to pro- 'vide a sign having itsletters or characters promiscuously reflectinglight rays in all disign constructed in accordance with my invention; and- Fig. 2 is a cross-section of it taken along either of the lines 2-2.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the invention comprises a facing 1 having a recess 2 therein. The recess 2 is of dovetail cross-section and describes the outline of any desired character such as the letter E shown in Fig. 1. Adhesive 3 is adapted to be pouredor otherwise placed in the recess 2, and before the adhesive dries and hardens, bits of mirrored glass 4 are bedded therein; The mirrored glass 4 is of common construction and is made up of the transparent glass portion 5 and the reflecting coating 6. When the bits of mirrored glass are imbedded in the adhesive, the reflecting coating 6 is adjacent the adhesive and the transparent glassportion is disposed to the iight rays.

the bits of mirrored glass 4 are just frag I ments of variable shape and size and are dis-' 180 light rays striking the mirrored glass fromany direction are reflected therefrom and posed at an angle to each other. Thus, the

create a dazzling and irre lar brilliancy.

Due to the lightstriking an reflecting from 85 each separate bit of mirrored glass, the sign is in a continual state of reflection.

It is evident that the artificial lightin of I the sign can be greatly enhanced by ood lights disposed away-from the sign itself but directed thereon.

. From the foregoing description taken in' connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the construction and method of operation will be readily understood by those skilled in the artv to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation, together with the device which I now conslder to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative and that such chan es may be made, when desired, as fall. within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, the following:

1. In a sign comprising a foundation having a recess therein formingthe outline ofa letter or other character at a surface there-' of a plu lity of members providing reflectdies and fixed insaid recess "with their reflecting surfaces directed outwardly v 5 across the mouth of said recess. I 2. In a slgn, a foundatlon having a recess thereof and in mutually random relation, the

outer faces of said members being disposed to generally define a surface comprisintgace continuation ofsaid foundation sur insaid recess with the reflecting 1 surfaces of adjacent members differently and randomly directed outwardly of the recess, the outer faces of said members being disposed to generally define a plane surface at the mouth of said recess.

In testimony .whereof, I aflix my signature.

ASA TARBOX. 

